Chapter 272: Battle of the Adriatic Sea
As Archduke Ferdinand's idea to establish a naval base at Mkani was relayed to Constantine, the process was straightforward: transfer immigrants from Dar es Salaam to Mkani to revitalize the abandoned city. Constantine readily agreed, and more than 2,000 immigrants were quickly assigned to Mkani, temporarily making it the most populous city on Pemba Island and the second-largest military port in East Africa.
In the Adriatic Sea, the Austro-Hungarian Navy had already engaged in a fierce battle with the Royal Italian Navy. The battle was taking place near the Republic of San Marino on the Apennine Peninsula, and the distant sounds of artillery fire could be heard from the coast.
Onboard the Austro-Hungarian ships, soldiers followed their commander's orders with precision as they loaded ammunition and aimed their cannons. The naval battle was underway, with both sides exchanging fire.
The Austro-Hungarian Navy, under Wilhelm von Tegerthoff's leadership, had undergone significant improvements since the Lisa naval battle. Their soldiers were well-trained and highly skilled, and their equipment had been upgraded.
The Italian Navy, despite facing budget cuts, had improved its self-awareness and coordination. However, they still lagged behind the Austro-Hungarian Navy in terms of shooting accuracy and overall effectiveness.
The battle unfolded with the two navies exchanging fire, creating massive waves in the sea. Wilhelm von Tegerthoff decided to employ a different strategy this time, opting for a column formation rather than his famous "V" wedge-shaped horizontal formation. He explained that the "V" formation was used previously to counteract the numerical superiority of the Italian Navy and wasn't his preferred tactic.
As the battle raged on, Wilhelm von Tegerthoff's command skills became evident. The Austro-Hungarian Navy used its mobility and coordination to outmaneuver the Italian Navy. They divided into three columns, flanking the Italian fleet.
The Italian Navy attempted to adapt to the situation, but the Austro-Hungarian Navy's well-coordinated maneuvering made it difficult for them. The Italian commander recognized the Austro-Hungarian tactic but was unable to respond in time.
The Austro-Hungarian Navy effectively encircled the Italian fleet, and a chaotic naval battle ensued. The Austro-Hungarian ships, led by Wilhelm von Tegerthoff on the Lissa, pressed forward into the center of the Italian Navy. The Italian commander, realizing the dire situation, considered surrender as the only option to avoid complete destruction.
The battle reached a critical point as the Italian Navy faced annihilation, and surrender became the commander's choice to save himself and escape guilt when he returned to Italy. The fate of the Kingdom of Italy hung in the balance as the naval battle continued.